U.S. patent number 5,664,677 [Application Number 08/756,705] was granted by the patent office on 1997-09-09 for presaturated wiper assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Contec, Inc. of Spartanburg. Invention is credited to Kenneth J. O'Connor.
United States Patent |
5,664,677 |
O'Connor |
September 9, 1997 |
Presaturated wiper assembly
Abstract
A wiper assembly for use in cleansing a controlled environment.
The assembly comprises a generally flat container having therein a
plurality of wiper cloths presaturated with a selected cleaning or
disinfectant solvent. A top portion of the container defines an
opening for wiper cloth removal which may be selectively opened and
closed using a flexible adhesive panel. The bottom portion of the
container is characterized by a greater rigidity than the rigidity
of the top portion. This enhanced rigidity is sufficient to
substantially prevent bending of the container during removal of
the wiper cloths and closure of the container opening.
Inventors: |
O'Connor; Kenneth J.
(Spartanburg, SC) |
Assignee: |
Contec, Inc. of Spartanburg
(Spartanburg, SC)
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Family
ID: |
23931380 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/756,705 |
Filed: |
November 26, 1996 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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486308 |
Jun 7, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/494;
206/812 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/0805 (20130101); B65D 75/5838 (20130101); Y10S
206/812 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
75/52 (20060101); B65D 83/08 (20060101); B65D
75/58 (20060101); B65D 081/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/484,494,233,812,484.2 ;383/59,86 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0488967A1 |
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Jun 1992 |
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EP |
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648475 |
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Feb 1994 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Ackun; Jacob K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dority & Manning
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/486,308, filed
Jun. 7, 1995, which was abandoned upon the filing hereof.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A presaturated wiper assembly for use in cleansing a controlled
environment, said assembly comprising:
a generally flat container having a top portion and a bottom
portion each comprising a polymeric sheet, said top portion
disposed on an opposite side from said bottom portion of a plane
substantially including a circumference of said container at which
said top portion meets said bottom portion to define an interior
cavity between said top portion and said bottom portion;
said top portion further defining a container opening for access to
said interior cavity;
a panel having a pivot portion secured to said top portion and a
foldable closure portion extending therefrom, said closure portion
removably engaging said top portion to permit selective closure of
said container opening;
a plurality of wiper cloths located in said interior cavity and
forming a stack, said stack deforming said top portion and said
bottom portion respectively away from said plane;
cleaning solution located in said interior cavity to substantially
saturate said plurality of wiper cloths; and
one of said bottom portion and said top portion having a first
rigidity greater than a second rigidity of the other of said top
portion and said bottom portion, said first rigidity being
sufficient to substantially prevent bending of said container
during removal of said wiper cloths and closure of said container
opening.
2. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein
said bottom portion has said first rigidity and said top portion
has said second rigidity.
3. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein
said top portion includes a foldable flap secured to and underlying
said closure portion of said panel, an overlapping region of said
closure portion having adhesive thereon for engaging said top
portion.
4. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said top portion of said container has a thickness of less than
approximately 0.006 inches and said bottom portion of said
container has a thickness of at least approximately 0.008
inches.
5. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said first rigidity of said bottom portion is characterized by a
flexural modulus falling within a range of approximately 200,000 to
500,000 psi.
6. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said first rigidity of said bottom portion is characterized by a
nominal flexural modulus of approximately 375,000 psi.
7. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said top portion of said container has a thickness of less than
approximately 0.006 inches and wherein said bottom portion of said
container has a thickness of approximately 0.018 inches.
8. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said bottom portion is constructed of a composite polymeric
material having a first layer of vinyl and a second layer of
polyethylene.
9. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein
said first layer has a thickness of approximately 0.016 inches and
said second layer has a thickness of approximately 0.002
inches.
10. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said bottom portion is constructed of a composite polymeric
material having a stripe portion and a pair of side portions, said
stripe portion having a greater characteristic rigidity than said
side portions.
11. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein
said stripe portion extends longitudinally in an elongated
direction of said container.
12. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein
said rigidity of said bottom portion is characterized by a flexural
modulus falling within a range of approximately 200,000 to 500,000
psi.
13. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein
said rigidity of said bottom portion is characterized by a nominal
flexural modulus of approximately 375,000 psi.
14. A presaturated wiper assembly for use in cleansing a controlled
environment, said assembly comprising:
a generally flat container having a top portion and a bottom
portion each comprising a polymeric sheet, said top portion
disposed on an opposite side from said bottom portion of a plane
substantially including a circumference of said container at which
said top portion meets said bottom portion to form an interior
cavity between said top portion and said bottom portion;
said top portion including a foldable flap to define a container
opening for access to said interior cavity;
a panel having a pivot portion secured to said top portion and a
foldable closure portion overlying said flap, said closure portion
having an adhesive area for removably engaging said top
portion;
a wiper cloth stack located in said interior cavity and deforming
said top portion and said bottom portion respectively away from
said plane;
cleaning solution located in said interior cavity to substantially
saturate wiper cloths in said wiper cloth stack; and
said container also including a rigidity mechanism associated with
at least one of said top portion and said bottom portion, said
rigidity mechanism configured to substantially prevent bending of
said container during removal of said wiper cloths and closure of
said container opening, even if said wiper cloth stack is
substantially depleted.
15. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein
said rigidity means comprises said bottom portion of said
container.
16. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein
said bottom portion of said container has a thickness of at least
approximately 0.008 inches.
17. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein
said bottom portion of said container has a thickness of
approximately 0.018 inches.
18. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein
said bottom portion of said container is characterized by a
flexural modulus falling within a range of approximately 200,000 to
500,000 psi.
19. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein
each of said top portion and said bottom portion is comprised of a
polymeric sheet separate from the polymeric sheet comprising the
other of said top portion and said bottom portion.
20. A presaturated wiper assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein
said separate polymeric sheets respectively comprising said top
portion and said bottom portion are attached to each other
substantially along said circumference.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaged wipers of the type which
are presaturated with a selected cleaning or disinfectant solution
for cleansing a controlled environment, such as a medical facility
or an industrial cleanroom.
Presaturated wipers for cleansing controlled environments have been
provided in various package configurations. In one such
configuration, a relatively flat container is formed of two like
pieces of polymeric web material. The two pieces of material are
juxtaposed to one another and joined by heat bonding about their
periphery to form an interior cavity. A foldable flap is cut into
one of the pieces of material to define a container opening for
access to the interior cavity. A plurality of wiper cloths,
saturated with the desired cleaning or disinfectant solution, are
placed into the interior cavity of the container. As used herein,
it is to be understood that the term "wiper cloth" refers to any
suitable woven or nonwoven sheet material, whether or not the
material is a textile product.
An adhesive label is situated over the foldable flap to allow
selective closure of the container opening. The package may thus be
opened by "peeling back" the adhesive label. An individual wiper
cloth can then be removed from the package for use in cleansing a
controlled environment, as desired. The package is closed by
covering the container opening with the adhesive label.
In the prior art package discussed above, the top and bottom
portions of the container are both formed of the same polymeric web
material. This material is relatively thin, generally having a
thickness of approximately 0.005 inches. As a result, the container
itself tends to be relatively flexible. The flexibility of the
package contributes, at least in part, to dispersion of the
cleaning solution during transit. Specifically, loading of the
packages in a stack for transit tends to squeeze the wiper cloths
together, thus causing a relatively even dispersion of the cleaning
solution.
When the number of wiper cloths in the container has not been
substantially depleted, the stack of wiper cloths tends to maintain
the package in a relatively rigid state. In this rigid state, the
package tends to resist bending or flexing as it is opened or
closed. Additionally, the package tends to remain relatively rigid
as an individual wiper cloth is removed from the container
opening.
When few wiper cloths remain in the package, however, they no
longer substantially contribute to package rigidity. As a result,
the container will tend to be pulled into a bent configuration as
the adhesive label is peeled back. The container also tends to bend
as individual wiper cloths are removed. Due to this bending, the
package itself will become somewhat crumpled during use, thus
resulting in a less than desirable seal as the adhesive label is
placed over the container opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing
disadvantages, and others, of prior art constructions and
methods.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved presaturated wiper assembly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved presaturated wiper assembly including a container that
remains relatively rigid despite depletion of the wiper cloths.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved presaturated wiper assembly including a container which
facilitates dispersion of the solution during transit.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a
presaturated wiper assembly for use in cleansing a controlled
environment. The assembly comprises a substantially flat container
having a top portion and a bottom portion each constructed of a
polymeric sheet material. An interior cavity is defined in the
container between the top portion and the bottom portion. The top
portion further defines a container opening for access to the
interior cavity having a plurality of wiper cloths located therein.
A selected cleaning solution is further located in the interior
cavity in a sufficient quantity to substantially saturate the wiper
cloths.
The assembly further includes a panel having a pivot portion
secured to the top portion of the container and a foldable closure
portion extending therefrom. The closure portion of the panel
removably engages the top portion of the container to permit
selective closure of the container opening. In an exemplary
construction, the top portion includes a foldable flap secured to
and underlying the closure portion of the panel. In this case, the
top portion of the container is engaged by an overlapping region of
the closure portion having adhesive thereon.
The bottom portion of the container is characterized by a first
rigidity greater than a second rigidity of the top portion. The
first rigidity of the bottom portion comprises a rigidity means
sufficient to substantially prevent bending of the container during
removal of the wiper cloths and closure of the container opening.
Toward this end, the first rigidity of the bottom portion may be
characterized by a flexural modulus falling within a range of
approximately 200,000 to 500,000 pounds per square inch (psi). In
an exemplary construction, the first rigidity may be characterized
by a nominal flexural modulus of approximately 375,000 psi.
The top portion of the container may have a thickness of less than
approximately 0.006 inches. To provide enhanced rigidity, the
bottom portion of the container has a thickness of at least
approximately 0.008 inches in this case. In an exemplary
embodiment, the thickness of the bottom portion is approximately
0.018 inches.
The bottom portion may be constructed of a composite polymeric
material having a first layer of vinyl and a second layer of
polyethylene. In this case, vinyl layer is preferably situated on
the outside of the container, with the polyethylene layer being on
the inside. In an exemplary construction, the vinyl layer may have
a thickness of approximately 0.016 inches and the second layer may
have a thickness of approximately 0.02 inches, yielding a total
thickness of 0.018 inches.
In another presently preferred embodiment, the bottom portion is
constructed of a composite polymeric material having a stripe
portion and a pair of side portions. The stripe portion has a
greater characteristic rigidity than the side portions, giving the
overall bottom portion the first rigidity as described above. The
stripe portion preferably extends longitudinally in an elongated
direction of the container.
In a still further presently preferred embodiment, the bottom
portion may be configured as a formed tray.
Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are
discussed in greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including
the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set
forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification,
including reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved presaturated wiper
assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 in which the container of the
wiper assembly is partially open;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the improved presaturated wiper
assembly shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the manner in which the
container may be opened by a user;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the manner in which
an individual wiper cloth may be removed from the container;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating the manner
in which the container may be closed;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one presently preferred
material from which the bottom portion of the container may be
constructed;
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a first alternative construction of
the bottom portion of the container;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second alternative construction
of the bottom portion of the container; and
FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the wiper assembly of FIG.
8.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and
drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or
elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the
present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only,
and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present
invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary
constructions.
A presaturated wiper assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the
present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Wiper assembly
10 includes a generally flat container 12 having a top portion 14
and a bottom portion 16 (FIG. 3). Top portion 14 and bottom portion
16 are constructed of polymeric sheet material having differing
respective rigidity characteristics as will be explained more fully
below. A heat bond 18 is formed about the periphery of container 12
to join top portion 14 and bottom portion 16 together, as
shown.
As shown in FIG. 2, a foldable flap 20, which may be generally
tongue shaped, is cut into top portion 14 to define a container
opening, as indicated at 22. When flap 20 is "peeled back," opening
22 is exposed to allow individual wiper cloths, such as that shown
at 24, to be removed. The wiper cloths are saturated with a
selected cleaning or disinfectant solvent as may be suitable for a
particular application.
For closure, flap 20 is placed in position substantially coplanar
with the remainder of top portion 14. Flap 20 is maintained in this
position, and opening 22 is sealed shut, by a panel 26 which may
also serve as an informational label.
Panel 26 includes a pivot portion 28 and a closure portion 30, as
shown. Pivot portion 28 normally remains secured to top portion 14
during use. Closure portion 30, on the other hand, removably
engages top portion 14 to permit selective closure of opening 22.
In this regard, closure portion 30 includes an overlapping region
32 extending from the periphery of flap 20. The bottom side of
overlapping region 32 has an adhesive thereon which sticks to top
portion 14, but not so tightly that it cannot be peeled back when
desired.
Referring now to FIG. 3, bottom portion 16 may be more easily seen.
In this case, bottom portion 16 is transparent, whereas top portion
14 is opaque. It should be appreciated, however, that bottom
portion 16 may also be opaque, if desired. Because bottom portion
16 is transparent in this case, a stack 34 of wiper cloths may be
seen inside of container 12.
The prior art package discussed above achieved much of its rigidity
from the stack of wiper cloths located therein. As a result, when
the number of wiper cloths in the stack became relatively low, the
package became susceptible to excessive flexing or bending. This
bending resulted in greater difficulty being required to remove
wiper cloths from the package, as well as during opening or closing
of the package for wiper cloth removal.
The present invention overcomes the noted deficiencies in the prior
art by constructing container 12 such that top portion 14 and
bottom portion 16 have differing rigidity characteristics.
Specifically, top portion 14 has relatively low rigidity so that
flap 20 will be relatively easy to fold and unfold. Additionally, a
relatively low rigidity in top portion 14 facilitates dispersion of
the solvent solution when a multiplicity of wiper assemblies such
as assembly 10 are stacked and shipped. Bottom portion 16, on the
other hand, is constructed to have a greater rigidity than top
portion 14. Thus, container 12 will tend to remain substantially
flat during use.
As an illustration, consider the process of opening container 12,
as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the closure portion 30 of panel
26 is gripped between the thumb and forefinger of a user. The user
then pulls closure portion 30 in the direction shown by arrow 36 to
expose the container opening. This pulling by the user imparts a
bending force to container 12, as represented by the arrow 38. With
a low rigidity package, the bending force may cause the package to
bend generally about the area indicated at 40. The rigidity of
bottom portion 16, however, is chosen to resist this bending. Thus,
container 12 remains substantially flat as container 12 is
opened.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the user is shown removing wiper cloth 24.
Because wiper cloth 24 is larger than the container opening, its
removal tends to impart an upward force on the center portion of
the package, as indicated by arrow 42. If container 12 was
susceptible to bending as in the prior art, this upward force could
cause it to resemble an inverted "V." It will be appreciated that
removal of wiper cloth would be relatively difficult with the
package bent in this manner. Due to the rigidity contributed by
bottom portion 16, however, container 12 remains substantially flat
as wiper cloth 24 is removed.
After wiper cloth 24 is removed, container 12 may be closed as
shown in FIG. 5. In this example, flap 20 is folded back into the
closed position by the palm of the user's hand, which is moving in
a direction as indicated by arrow 44. This technique tends to "iron
out" ripples in top portion 14, thus causing a relatively secure
seal to be achieved between panel 26 and top portion 14.
It will be appreciated that continual bending of container 12, as
is generally prevented by the present invention, would cause top
portion 14 to become somewhat crumpled over time. The various
wrinkles thus developed may reduce the degree to which a secure
seal could be achieved between top portion 14 and panel 26. Because
of the rigidity contributed by bottom portion 16, many bend
wrinkles which may otherwise occur in top portion 14 may thus be
prevented.
In presently preferred embodiments, top layer 14 is constructed of
a composite material having a layer of polyethylene adhered to a
layer of polyester. The polyester layer is preferably situated on
the outside of container 12, with the polyethylene being situated
on the inside. As with the prior art, top portion 14 preferably has
a thickness of not greater than approximately 0.006 inches.
FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred material 46 from which bottom
portion 16 may be constructed. As shown, material 46 is a composite
having a first layer 48 adhered to a second layer 50. Layer 50,
which is preferably on the inside of container 12, may be
polyethylene or another material heat-bondable to polyethylene when
such comprises the inside surface of top portion 14. In this
manner, the polyethylene layer of top portion 14 and the
polyethylene layer of bottom portion 16 will bond together at heat
bond 18. First layer 48 and second layer 50 are adhered together by
an adhesive layer, as indicated at 52. It should also be
appreciated that appropriate single layer materials may also be
utilized for bottom portion 16.
In the case of polymeric sheet materials as described, sufficient
rigidity is generally achieved if the material has a thickness of
greater than 0.008 inches. In an exemplary construction, the
thickness of the material is approximately 0.018 inches. For
composite material 46, this may be achieved by constructing first
layer 48 to have a thickness of approximately 0.016 inches and
second layer 50 to have a thickness of approximately 0.002
inches.
Sufficient rigidity may also be expressed by the flexural modulus,
measured per the ASTM D-790 method or equivalent. In this case,
adequate rigidity may be achieved with a flexural modulus of
greater than approximately 200,000 psi. In presently preferred
embodiments, the flexural modulus would generally not exceed
500,000 psi, with an exemplary construction exhibiting a nominal
flexural modulus of approximately 375,000 psi.
In addition to the continuous webs discussed above, the invention
contemplates various other configurations of the container bottom
portion which may also achieve the desired rigidity. For example,
FIG. 7 illustrates a container bottom portion 54 having a stripe
portion 56 extending in the elongated direction of the container. A
pair of side portions 58 and 60 are located adjacent stripe portion
56 as shown.
In this case, side portions 58 and 60 are constructed of a
relatively thin sheet material, such as top portion 14 of container
12. On the other hand, stripe portion 56 is constructed relatively
thick to have greater rigidity. As a result, the overall rigidity
of bottom portion 54 will be increased. In this case, side portions
58 and 60 are opaque, whereas stripe portion 60 is transparent.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a still further embodiment of the present
invention. Specifically, a container 62 is illustrated having a top
portion 64 as described which is joined to a thermoformed tray 66.
The rigidity of thermoformed tray 66 contributes stiffness to
container 62 in a manner similar to the packages discussed
above.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, modifications and variations thereto may be practiced by
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more
particularly set forth in the appended claims. For example, a rigid
member may be inserted into an otherwise flexible package below a
stack of wiper cloths. Such a rigid member would preferably be
configured to engage the package to provide the characteristic
rigidity to the overall assembly as described above.
In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various
embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part.
Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is
not intended to be limitative of the invention so further described
in such appended claims.
* * * * *